Amidst the fanfare of this year’s Tour de France, cycling apparel specialist Castelli, alongside professional cycling teams Soudal Quick-Step and AG Insurance Soudal, announced a joint collaboration with Italian start-up RAGAZ to develop and test an integrated airbag crash protection system.
The prototype spinal protector aims to bring elite-level safety to both professional and recreational riders without sacrificing on-bike performance. Designed specifically to protect a rider’s spinal column in the event of a crash, Castelli has engineered the prototype to integrate into high-performance cycling apparel.
The design focus has been on maintaining the comfort, freedom of movement and aerodynamics required in elite competition.
Rider safety is a core focus for Castelli and both teams, building on previous innovations in high-visibility training apparel and abrasion-resistant fabrics. This new partnership with RAGAZ directly targets the prevention of severe spinal injuries that have impacted the professional peloton in recent years.
To help ensure high adoption rates among racing professionals and everyday recreational cyclists, the development teams focused on a practical, unobtrusive design.
Key technical features of the RAGAZ system include an ultra-lightweight construction that avoids the bulk and weight penalties of traditional safety gear, with the system weighing approximately the same as two energy gels. It features a rapid deployment mechanism with an inflation time of 200ms.
The system also incorporates smart deflation, using a controlled automatic deflation process so an accidental trigger will not leave a rider permanently restricted. For user-friendly maintenance, the unit is easily rechargeable and fully removable from clothing to allow for hassle-free washing.
The level of protective cushioning provided once inflated focuses on a significant area of spinal coverage at maximum extension. The collaboration will initially focus on the technical evaluation and rapid development of the RAGAZ prototype, uniting professional racing insight, premium apparel design and safety engineering to make the sport safer for riders at every level.
Steve Smith, Global Brand Manager at Castelli, said “Safety is a premier focus area for Castelli’s partnership with Soudal Quick-Step and AG Insurance Soudal. We have already taken steps to improve visibility and experiment with abrasion protection, and now, alongside RAGAZ, we are integrating a cutting-edge airbag system.
“Our goal is to provide a system that prevents serious injuries yet remains practical for everyday use. This collaboration will further refine the project to bring real, uncompromised protection to cyclists everywhere.”
Jurgen Foré, CEO at Soudal Quick-Step, said “Safety has never been something we treat as a single project or campaign; it is a responsibility that influences many of the decisions we make as a team. We are happy to support innovation that contributes to a safer environment in cycling.
“The solution that RAGAZ and Castelli are developing is the first that has the right dimensions to be used in pro-cycling – protecting a crucial area of the athlete’s body while remaining suitable for elite sport. We look forward to contributing to its development and wearing it during training and competition.”
Francesco Ragazzini, Founder of RAGAZ, said “For many years, our objective has been simple – to develop a solution capable of protecting one of the most important and vulnerable parts of the cyclist’s body without compromising performance or comfort.
“To evaluate this project alongside organizations like Soudal Quick-Step and Castelli is a massive step forward. Their expertise and understanding of elite cycling provide invaluable insight as we continue refining the technology.”
Founded in 1876, Castelli has pioneered cycling apparel innovation for nearly 150 years, introducing performance breakthroughs such as the first Lycra shorts, aerodynamic suits and all-weather race gear. Designed in Italy and tested by UCI WorldTour athletes, the brand adds that it creates apparel to help riders push the boundaries of speed, comfort and style.
